The base for most skincare formulations, dissolving other ingredients.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
A mix of fatty acids derived from coconut oil and glycerin, it replenishes skin and helps restore its surface.
Usually helps with
Dryness, barrier support
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
A synthetic humectant that also has antimicrobial properties, helping to preserve the formula.
Usually helps with
Hydration, preservation
Watch for
Can be irritating for some
Humectant
Propylene Glycol
A common humectant that draws moisture to the skin. It can be a penetration enhancer.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Watch for
Can cause irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals
Emulsifier
Hydrogenated Phosphatidylcholine
A phospholipid that helps to stabilize oil and water in formulations and can aid in skin barrier repair.
Usually helps with
Barrier support, hydration
A classic humectant that draws water into the skin, keeping it hydrated and soft.
Usually helps with
Hydration, barrier support
A sugar alcohol that acts as a humectant, drawing moisture to the skin.
Usually helps with
Hydration
Watch for
Can be slightly sticky
Antioxidant
Tocopheryl Acetate
A stable form of Vitamin E, it acts as an antioxidant to protect skin from environmental damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Watch for
Can be less potent than pure tocopherol
Emollient
Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter
A rich emollient derived from the shea tree, known for its moisturizing and skin-conditioning properties.
Usually helps with
Dryness, barrier repair
Watch for
Can be comedogenic for some
A polysaccharide used as a thickening agent and emulsion stabilizer.
Usually helps with
Texture
A common humectant and solvent that helps improve product texture and skin hydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration, texture
Watch for
Can be a penetration enhancer
A form of Vitamin B5, it's a humectant that also soothes and aids in skin barrier repair.
Usually helps with
Hydration, soothing, barrier repair
A salt form of carbomer, used as a thickening agent.
Usually helps with
Texture
Soothing Agent
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Known for its soothing, hydrating, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Usually helps with
Soothing, hydration
Can be used as a solvent or to improve product texture, but can be drying and irritating in higher concentrations.
Usually helps with
Texture, preservation
Watch for
Drying, potential irritation
Skin Conditioning Agent
Hydrolyzed Rice Protein
Helps to condition and soften the skin.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning
A stable, hydrogenated form of squalene, it's an excellent emollient that mimics skin's natural oils.
Usually helps with
Hydration, barrier support
Emollient
Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
Rich in linoleic acid, it's a good emollient and antioxidant that helps improve skin barrier function.
Usually helps with
Hydration, barrier support
Preservative
Phenoxyethanol
A common preservative used to prevent microbial growth in cosmetics.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Can cause allergic reactions in some
pH Adjuster
Sodium Hydroxide
Used to adjust the pH of cosmetic products to ensure stability and efficacy.
Usually helps with
Formula stability
A polymer used as a thickening, suspending, and dispersing agent.
Usually helps with
Texture
A phospholipid that helps to emulsify oil and water and can aid in skin barrier function.
Usually helps with
Emulsification, barrier support
A skin-identical lipid that helps to reinforce the skin barrier and improve moisture retention.
Usually helps with
Barrier support, hydration
Emulsifier
Hydrogenated Lecithin
A hydrogenated form of lecithin, used as an emulsifier and skin conditioning agent.
Usually helps with
Emulsification, skin conditioning
Antioxidant
Ascorbyl Palmitate
A fat-soluble form of Vitamin C, it acts as an antioxidant.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Watch for
Less potent than L-Ascorbic Acid
Skin Replenishing
Ceramide NP
A type of ceramide that is crucial for maintaining a healthy skin barrier and preventing moisture loss.
Usually helps with
Barrier repair, hydration
Skin Conditioning Agent
Glycine Soja (Soybean) Protein
Derived from soybeans, it helps to condition and improve skin texture.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning
Antioxidant
Superoxide Dismutase
An enzyme that helps neutralize harmful free radicals.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
An alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) used to adjust pH and can provide mild exfoliation.
Usually helps with
Formula stability, exfoliation
Watch for
Can cause irritation at higher concentrations
A polysaccharide that can act as a humectant and skin conditioning agent.
Usually helps with
Hydration, skin conditioning
Peptide
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8
A peptide that helps to reduce the appearance of redness and soothe the skin.
Usually helps with
Soothing, anti-redness
Amino Acid
Alanyl Glutamine
An amino acid derivative that can help support skin hydration and barrier function.
Usually helps with
Hydration, barrier support
An amino acid that helps to maintain skin hydration and has antioxidant properties.
Usually helps with
Hydration, antioxidant
Skin Replenishing
Ceramide NG
A type of ceramide that helps to reinforce the skin barrier and improve moisture retention.
Usually helps with
Barrier support, hydration
An amino acid that is a component of collagen and helps with skin hydration.
Usually helps with
Hydration, skin conditioning
An essential amino acid that plays a role in collagen synthesis and skin repair.
Usually helps with
Skin repair, collagen support
A fatty acid that can help improve skin hydration and barrier function, but can be comedogenic for some.
Usually helps with
Hydration, barrier support
Watch for
Can be comedogenic
A fatty acid that provides emollience and can help improve skin texture.
Usually helps with
Emollience, texture
Watch for
Can be comedogenic
An amino acid that can help with skin conditioning and repair.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning
An amino acid that is a component of collagen and helps maintain skin structure and hydration.
Usually helps with
Skin structure, hydration
Antioxidant
Scenedesmus Rubescens Extract
A microalgae extract known for its antioxidant properties.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Pure Vitamin C, a potent antioxidant that brightens skin, supports collagen production, and protects against free radicals.
Usually helps with
Brightening, antioxidant protection, collagen support
Watch for
Can be unstable and irritating at high concentrations
Antioxidant
Retinyl Palmitate
A less potent derivative of Vitamin A, it acts as an antioxidant and can offer some anti-aging benefits. It needs to be converted to retinol and then retinoic acid in the skin.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection, mild anti-aging
Watch for
Less effective than retinol or retinoic acid, potential for irritation
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
A common preservative that prevents microbial growth. Can form benzene in the presence of Vitamin C, though this is generally not a concern in rinse-off products or at low concentrations.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Watch for
Potential for benzene formation with Vitamin C
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
A salt of sorbic acid, used as a preservative to inhibit mold and yeast.
Usually helps with
Preservation
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
A preservative that also acts as a skin conditioning agent and can boost the efficacy of other preservatives.
Usually helps with
Preservation, skin conditioning
Watch for
Can cause skin irritation in some
Skin Conditioning Agent
Sodium Dextran Sulfate
A derivative of dextran that can help with skin conditioning and hydration.
Usually helps with
Skin conditioning, hydration
Emollient
Brassica Alba Oil
A plant-derived oil that provides emollience and helps to soften the skin.
Usually helps with
Emollience, softening
Chelating Agent
Disodium EDTA
A chelating agent that binds to metal ions, improving product stability and efficacy.
Usually helps with
Formula stability
Watch for
Can enhance penetration of other ingredients
A peptide that supports skin regeneration and repair processes.
Usually helps with
Skin regeneration, repair
Antioxidant
Sodium Ascorbate
A salt form of Vitamin C, it acts as an antioxidant.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
Watch for
Less potent than L-Ascorbic Acid
Pure Vitamin E, a potent antioxidant that protects skin from free radical damage.
Usually helps with
Antioxidant protection
